Official: Plane had 'uncontained engine failure'

CHICAGO (AP) - The Latest on a plane fire at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago (all times local):

7 p.m.

A federal official says an American Airlines plane attempting to take off from Chicago's O'Hare International Airport experienced an "uncontained engine failure." That is a rare, serious event in which engine parts break off and are spewed outside the engine.

The official spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to speak publicly about the investigation.

The danger of such a failure is that pieces effectively become shrapnel and can cause extensive damage to the aircraft.

Authorities say 20 passengers suffered minor injuries Friday as they used emergency chutes to evacuate the Miami-bound plane after the pilots aborted the takeoff. Airline officials originally put the number of injured at eight but later confirmed that 20 passengers were hurt. An American spokeswoman also says that one flight attendant was injured.

Chicago Deputy Fire Commissioner Timothy Sampey says the incident could have been "absolutely devastating" if it had happened after takeoff. He noted the plane was spilling a substantial amount of fuel when firefighters arrived.

- From Associated Press writer Joan Lowy in Washington, D.C.

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6:25 p.m.

A passenger aboard an American Airlines flight from Chicago to Miami that was forced to abort takeoff because of an engine-related mechanical issue says the plane was speeding down the runway when she heard an explosion.

Sarah Ahmed says after the blast she saw flames and black smoke.

Ahmed told WLS-TV everyone on the right side of the aircraft jumped from their seats and moved to the left side of the aircraft. She said the plane came to a quick stop and people began demanding that the doors be opened.

Ahmed says within seconds, smoke entered the cabin and the fire was melting the windows.

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4:15 p.m.

Seven passengers and a flight attendant reported minor injuries after an American Airlines aircraft caught fire and passengers were evacuated onto the runway at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.

American Airlines spokeswoman Leslie Scott says the injured were taken to a hospital to be evaluated.

Scott says Flight 383, a Boeing 767 bound for Miami, aborted a takeoff due to an engine-related mechanical issue. The 161 passengers and nine crew members were evacuated and buses took them to an airport terminal. Scott says the passengers will be placed on another flight to Miami this evening.

National Transportation Safety Board spokesman Keith Holloway says the board will conduct an investigation into the incident, with investigators expected to arrive on the scene Friday evening.

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3:40 p.m.

A Federal Aviation Administration spokesman says an unknown number of minor injuries have been reported after an American Airlines plane caught fire and passengers evacuated on the runway at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.

FAA spokesman Tony Molinaro initially said no one was hurt but later said minor injuries were reported. He said he could not give an exact number.

Molinaro says the pilot aborted takeoff and everyone evacuated. Television reports showed a large plume of black smoke coming from the Boeing 767.

A National Transportation Safety Board spokesman says the board is aware of the incident but hasn't made a decision on whether to investigate.

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2:30 p.m.

Authorities say an American Airlines plane caught fire and passengers evacuated on the runway at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.

Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Tony Molinaro says American Airlines Flight 383 departed Chicago for Miami on Friday afternoon when it blew a tire and damaged an engine. Molinaro says the pilot aborted takeoff and everyone evacuated. The FAA says there were no injuries.

Television reports showed a large plume of black smoke coming from the Boeing 767.

American Airlines spokeswoman Leslie Scott said in a brief statement that the plane had "an engine-related mechanical issue." She says buses are en route to take 161 passengers and nine crew members from the runway to the terminal.

The Chicago Fire Department tweeted that it was responding to the scene.